What Is The Best Surround Sound System To Buy

We extensively tested the following wireless home-theater systems to judge them based on their features, sound quality, ease of setup and operation, and value for the cost. Read on for our test results as well as some key considerations to keep in mind when shopping for the best wireless surround-sound systems.

To evaluate the best wireless surround-sound systems, we thoroughly tested each of them with real-world listening and viewing. We judged the systems on their procedures for setting up the physical speakers and the internal settings such as Wi-Fi connections and app control. We assessed their ease of operation, audio quality and power, consistency at extreme volume levels, performance with different audio formats such as Dolby Atmos spatial audio, and any other features of the individual systems.

Before recommending the best wireless surround-sound systems, we tested all of them extensively with a diverse variety of media, including big-budget action and animated movies and TV shows, high-end console games, and music from the 1960s to the 2020s. Much of the source media was encoded for surround sound, and some of it was stereo audio to test the up-conversion ability of the wireless surround-sound speakers.

All the systems tested were chosen for their high marks in performance, features, and value, but they vary significantly in size, audio-output power, features, and price. Each option can appeal to very specific preferences, so users should check out the results to determine which wireless entertainment system is best for them.

Despite falling short in the quality category, Bluetooth surround-sound systems are easier to install, less expensive, and more common, allowing these wireless systems to work with almost any electronic device.

Wi-Fi wireless surround-sound systems are more expensive than Bluetooth systems, but they are of higher quality in most ways. The sound quality is undeniably better with Wi-Fi speakers and systems because the data does not need to be compressed before transmission, and Wi-Fi connections are much more reliable than Bluetooth connections. Wi-Fi wireless surround-sound systems also offer a better range than Bluetooth systems, making them ideal for large spaces.

The sound quality for a wireless surround-sound system is dependent on a lot of technical specifications, including frequency response; rated output power; root mean square, or RMS; signal-to-noise ratio; and total harmonic distortion, which combine to form a unique sound experience. However, unless the user spends a lot of time studying the audio industry, most of these numbers will be difficult to understand or completely meaningless.

The volume produced by a wireless surround-sound system is measured in decibels (dB), but many audio-system manufacturers use watts (W) to indicate maximum volume capability. To understand the volume a wireless surround-sound system is about to put out, one needs to know what different decibel levels mean and how they correspond to wattage.

Most wireless surround-sound systems have a maximum range of 100 to 120 dB (or 64 to 600W). However, remember that most people leave a concert with ringing ears, so users will likely never need to set their wireless surround-sound system to its highest volume.

Wireless surround-sound systems typically come in a 5.1 configuration. With this system, three speakers are placed in front, occupying the front left, center, and front right locations. Two other speakers are placed on either side of the central listening location, such as a couch or chair, leaving one subwoofer positioned alongside the center speaker. This configuration is the most common, and it meets the standards for most streaming sites with Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS 5.1 audio formats.

However, users who want more sound in their room can install two more speakers and place them in the back left and back right positions for a 7.1 setup. A 7.2 arrangement will add another subwoofer to the ensemble, or the user could put in two or four ceiling speakers for a 7.1.2 or 7.1.4 speaker set.

A home-theater Dolby Atmos system typically has speaker channels that aim upward and rely on sound waves bouncing off the ceiling to achieve the height-based sound effects. Other Atmos-compatible systems rely on sound-processing technology to create virtual Atmos audio that human ears perceive as having more height.

Range is a significant consideration if the user plans to install the wireless surround-sound system in a large room or space. Comparing Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technologies helps break down the difference:

The Wireless Speaker and Audio Association (WiSA) was established in 2012 to bring Wi-Fi audio and video-equipment manufacturers together to set universal standards for completely interoperable equipment. This means that any surround-sound system could work with any television, smart-home hub, speakers, cameras, or any other WiSA-certified device.

Wireless surround-sound systems match the quality of wired models and give you the freedom to place your speakers without connecting back to the main system. However, if you invest in a low-quality wireless surround-sound system, there is the possibility that smartphones, microwaves, and other technology in your home could cause interference and degrade the sound quality.

If the TV has only HDMI but not HDMI ARC, you can connect to the wireless surround- sound system with an HDMI cable and connect the audio with an optical TOSLINK or coaxial digital audio cable. However, you cannot establish the system with the analog audio output on the television because that is not compatible with surround-sound capabilities.

When installing, be sure to place the front speakers on either side of your TV, the soundbar underneath your TV screen, and the rear speakers within several feet of your sitting position (behind a couch or chair). If you have more than five speakers/soundbars, then the rest of the speakers should be placed on either side of your sitting position for proper sound distribution.

Though traditional surround-sound systems required a receiver, modern wireless models such as the seven reviewed in this guide include everything needed in one package and do not require an additional receiver.

If you have a large home theater or entertainment center, the 7.1 surround-sound configuration is a suitable choice, as it provides clearer sound and louder audio levels. If your home-theater space is smaller, the 5.1 surround-sound system can be sufficient.

If you're looking for the very best home cinema sound, an AV receiver can help you achieve the ultimate home theater experience. When partnered to a multi-channel speaker package, a dedicated AV receiver can get up to 9 discrete channels of sound and achieve the most tangible and immersive effect from the latest surround sound formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS: X.

Best overall: Denon AVR-X47000HThe Denon sits at the top of our best receivers list for several reasons. For starters, the elite construction and support for nearly every audio format imaginable. It comes with an audio calibration system, and this 9-channel amp produces rich, layered sound that immerses you into any soundtrack.

Something to know right out of the gate is that most seven-channel AV receivers support a speaker configuration of 5.1.2, which is the standard 5.1 surround layout with two additional height/up-firing speakers. Models that feature nine channels of amplification can be used for either 5.1 with four Dolby height speakers (5.1.4) or 7.1 surround with two height channels (7.1.2). Speaker models such as those in the new Klipsch Reference series could make a great partnership for a home cinema setup, and has several upward-firing height speakers to meet Dolby Amos requirements.

If you're considering an AV receiver as a connectivity hub for a music system as well as movies, then be sure to check out our guide to the best turntables for any budget. Many of the receivers available today come with a built-in moving-magnet phono stage to enable vinyl playback from any of the record decks we've tested.

More: Get the most immersive surround sound experience by incorporating dedicated Dolby Atmos speakers into your setup. Find out more about Dolby Atmos and how to introduce it to your home cinema setup.

As a former editor of the U.K.'s Hi-Fi Choice magazine, Lee is passionate about all kinds of audio tech and has been providing sound advice to enable consumers to make informed buying decisions since he joined Which magazine as a product tester in the 1990s. Lee covers all things audio for Tom's Guide, including headphones, wireless speakers and soundbars and loves to connect and share the mindfulness benefits that listening to music in the very best quality can bring.\"}; var triggerHydrate = function() { window.sliceComponents.authorBio.hydrate(data, componentContainer); } var triggerScriptLoadThenHydrate = function() { if (window.sliceComponents.authorBio === undefined) { var script = document.createElement('script'); script.src = ' -9-3/authorBio.js'; script.async = true; script.id = 'vanilla-slice-authorBio-component-script'; script.onload = () => { window.sliceComponents.authorBio = authorBio; triggerHydrate(); }; document.head.append(script); } else { triggerHydrate(); } } if (window.lazyObserveElement) { window.lazyObserveElement(componentContainer, triggerScriptLoadThenHydrate, 1500); } else { console.log('Could not lazy load slice JS for authorBio') } } }).catch(err => console.log('Hydration Script has failed for authorBio Slice', err)); }).catch(err => console.log('Externals script failed to load', err));Lee DunkleySocial Links NavigationAudio EditorAs a former editor of the U.K.'s Hi-Fi Choice magazine, Lee is passionate about all kinds of audio tech and has been providing sound advice to enable consumers to make informed buying decisions since he joined Which magazine as a product tester in the 1990s. Lee covers all things audio f